PREVIEW: Wealdstone vs Aldershot Town

The Stones return to the Vale on Easter Monday as they host last year’s FA Trophy winners Aldershot Town in their 42nd Enterprise National League match of the season.

The Basics

Date: Monday, April 6

Venue: THE VALE, Ruislip, HA4 6JQ

Competition: The Enterprise National League

Kick Off Time: 3:00 pm

Broadcast Information: The game will be available to watch live via DAZN

News From The Vale

Gary Waddock was not looking to sugarcoat the Stones’ performance against Boreham Wood on Monday, telling Stones TV, “Yes, we did create some chances… but they [Boreham Wood] deserved the victory. They were better than us on the day.”

You can find Gary’s full post-match interview via this link.

A reminder that the Vale’s clubhouse will be open from 12pm on Monday, with a ‘happy hour’ drinks offer running from 12pm-2pm, so why not get down to the ground early and catch up with your friends with a refreshing beverage!

The Wealdstone FC Supporters’ Club are running an Easter Raffle, the draw for which will be made after the game on Monday.

Tickets cost just £1, and you can win prizes such as: Nike trainers, a LEGO set and family tickets to Thorpe Park. Buy your ticket by clicking here.

Finally, congratulations to Henry Bungay, Riley Durkin, Tommy McCarthy and Tyler White, Wealdstone FC academy members who have all made their debuts in men’s football with Amersham Town and Brookhouse FC in recent weeks!

The Opposition

Recent form: LLLWD

League Position: 18th

Aldershot Town looked like they were set for a very tough season after fan-favourite manager Tommy Widdrington left the club to join Eastbourne Borough in October, but John Coleman has turned things around somewhat.

The former Accrington Stanley manager has picked up 1.3 points per game over the 25 games which he has managed at the EBB Stadium, guiding the Shots to a relatively safe eight points clear of relegation.

They will be looking to string together a good run of results in the final weeks of the season and potentially squeeze into the top half of the league table.

The reverse fixture: It was a difficult winter evening when the Stones travelled to face the Shots in late December.

The contest started in nightmarish fashion for Wealdstone, James Henry slotting home Aldershot’s first attack of the game.

Despite responding well, the Stones then fell two goals behind as Josh Barrett produced a spectacular strike from long range.

Connor McAvoy halved the deficit inside the 20-minute mark from a set piece, and the Stones looked to have a good chance of going into the break on level terms.

After Micah Obiero’s goal was disallowed for offside, Aldershot delivered a killer blow on the verge of half time, courtesy of Charlie Warren.

The hosts looked to control the game after the break, and the basketball-like events of the first half subsided.

Wealdstone had a couple of half-chances, but the game was put to bed after Junior Tiensia was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and the home side were awarded a penalty.

Ryan Hill converted from the spot in the 70th minute, after which the game largely petered out.

The danger man - Ryan Hill: Hill’s pace and tenacity have caused problems for National League sides for over half a decade, and these are qualities he will look to show at the Vale on Monday.

The 28-year-old is incredibly versatile, having played as a full-back, wing-back, winger and even striker during his 199 appearances in the fifth tier.

This season, Hill has taken on more of a leadership role, captaining the Shots and stepping up to score a number of important goals from the penalty spot.

With nine goals in all competitions, two of which have come in his last two games, Hill will be looking to finish the season strong and beat his career-high of 11 goals in a single campaign.

Buy Your Tickets Now!

Monday will be a special occasion as Gary Waddock faces the club for whom he managed over 250 games, and he would love nothing more than to get one over on his old team and show the footballing world that his loyalties lie with the Stones!

Make sure to buy your tickets and be a part of the occasion by clicking the link below:

https://wealdstonefc.ticketco.shop/